Control Box Question for 2003 25hp TOHATSU...4 stroke

[Tensaw]

I am brand new to this forum, but I have found some very informative posts just from past reviews of others' posts. So, I thought since NOW that I have a biggie, I should go to the board and see what you guys can tell me...

I need to replace my control box and cables for a 2003 Tohatsu 25hp...It is my understanding that there are some others "Brands" that are interchangeable that would also work for my model...Can anyone confirm/shed some light on this for me?

And if anyone is super savvy and has access to cross checking models for compatibility, can you tell me if a Suzuki remote electronic control box part number 67200-98J00 would work for my Tohatsu without much (if any) adjustment/alteration? I have a guy holding one for me until tomorrow at 5PM so I will have some time to try to research it and find out. Any advice or experience that anyone can share would be most appreciated.

Thanks so much!

 

[pvanv]

Re: Control Box Question for 2003 25hp TOHATSU...4 stroke

In order to know which control is correct, we need to have the correct model of your motor. Year is not important, but model/serial is critical. I suspect you have an MFS25A. Is it a 25A? [The A model has 3 carbs, the B model is fuel injected]. Does it have power tilt? Is it electric start? Do you need binnacle mount controls, or side mount? If side mount, which side will it mount on? Is this a remote-control motor already, or are you converting from a tiller-control motor?

Since the actual Tohatsu controls are moderately priced, I'm not sure why you would need to change to another, probably more-expensive brand. But, FWIW, these motors use standard Morse cables for the throttle and shift, so any control that uses Morse cables will operate the throttle and shift. It's important to know whether the control is designed for (or can be setup to) pull for throttle or push for throttle (and the same for the fwd-reverse pattern). Some controls can be reversed side-to-side on the boat, but others can't. The cables are standard, and are available from many sources -- you just need to know the correct length for your boat's setup. Aside from that, there are the electrical connections, which are pretty standard in function, though color codes will vary from one brand to another.

 

[Tensaw]

Re: Control Box Question for 2003 25hp TOHATSU...4 stroke

Thank you so very much! This information alone is a tremendous help...I do not have the serial number, etc. in front of me right now, but it is a 25A...not fuel injected...and yes, 3 carbs...as in 3 times the trouble if there is a problem or they need to be cleaned! Which for me is just motivation to keep a better eye on the quality of my fuel, etc. and always keep a container of Stabil nearby--and use it religiously. I used SeaFoam in the past with my 2 strokes (Evinrude and Johnson) but was told after my first carb cleaning on the Tohatsu to use Stabil instead...less build up...cleaner, etc., and so far, I would have to agree. No problems since then.

And yes, I need a binnacle mount; it does have power tilt/trim, electric start, etc. I am just needing to replace my control/cables as it has never worked properly/well (probably due to poor installation at the non-Tohatsu shop and cables too long as this was done before I bought it.) Shifting was entirely too stiff and difficult, and just this past weekend, one of the cables broke at the threads (inside the control box), which was enough motivation for me to go ahead and try to replace all of it now IF I don't have to sell plasma to do it.

The only reason I was asking about the Suzuki was because I found one that "looks" almost identical to my current control box just at a cursory glance, and it is a fraction of the price (as in less than half the price of used) compared to the Tohatsu controls I have found so far...is brand new, not used, which I thought was a pretty good gig IF IF IF it would work.

I appreciate your advice, comments, and feedback....I am ALWAYS open to suggestions and recommendations from those who have more experience with these things than I. So, please feel free...and thank you, again.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Control Box Question for 2003 25hp TOHATSU...4 stroke

You may find that your present binnacle-mount control is actually a Teleflex control. If so, it is indeed the brand that comes with a Tohatsu motor when a binnacle control is specified by the dealer. Tohatsu America uses the Teleflex units as OEM. So then, electrical wiring is probably not an issue, if you have a separate key-start and tilt-button panel. And if the Suzuki control is also a Teleflex OEM, you should be fine, though you may need to flip some internal settings for cable actuation direction, stop-to-stop distance, etc., as I mentioned in my first reply. See http://www.teleflexmarine.com/products/controls-and-cables/mechanical-single-action/ for info on the Teleflex controls.

As for the control cables themselves, we have been using the Hi-Lex cables from Tohatsu lately. They are a mid-to-high grade cable at a moderate price. See http://www.tohatsu.com/accessories/ctl_boxes.html for information on the OEM controls and the 3300-type cables.

BUT... Odds are you don't need a control box at all. You probably just need new cables. If you disconnect the cables from the control and it works smoothly, it's probably OK. In that case, get measured up for cables of the correct length, purchase decent-quality cables (not the cheapest available), get them installed and adjusted properly, and you should be good to go -- and for a lot less money as well.

BTW, the biggest thing about 4-stroke OB carbs and todays crummy gas is that we need to run the carbs dry at the end of the day. Also not bad to pull the carb drain plugs and get that last teaspoon of gas out at the end of the season. While a good stabilizer can help (and seldom hurts), the best thing is to only use gas that is less than 30 days old.